Red Rules...

Style Theory: Grey and black, although incredibly chic can become a little lack lustre. I am feeling my monochrome wardrobe needs a shake up and a red knit will be the perfect colour pop..

Images via Pinterest

A red sweater can add an eyecatching focal point to an outfit, pair it with slouchy jeans and trainers (ideally with a flash of red on them, I am a huge fan of a spot of colour matching) Or pair your jumper with grey trousers and courts for a cool work look. Aran knit style sweaters are still big news and remember to buy on the bigger side rather than fitted. If you are concerned about your silhouette wear with skinny blue jeans and heels for a slick, chic look..

Her are my favourite on the high street now...

Clockwise from Top Left
Bella Freud 1970 Jumper £280
J Crew Cashmere blend sweater £110
Karen Millen £115
H&M Tassel Jumper £13.99
Uniqlo (mens) Merino sweater £24.90
Zara Bell Sleeve Sweater £23.99

A quick bright colour fix for you Autumn/Winter looks, I am still loving the Bella Freud sweater but will probably opt for the Zara or Uniqlo option!

Which one would you go for? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Winter Sparkle

Style Theory: We all need a little sparkle in our lives right? It is never too early to add an item of sparkly clothing to your wardrobe...

It is easy to make it daytime acceptable. Just wear one glitter item, I am thinking this season a jumper or a vest top, and dress down with jeans, trainers (or wellies!) and wear a parka over the top so just a little sparkle is showing. I wore my new Primark black and silver jumper with my dungarees, completely dressed down and during the daytime I still managed to get a little sparkle in my life..

Jumper: Primark £9 (avail in store)
Dungarees: H& M similar here
Converse: House of Fraser now £35.99
Bag: &Other Stories similar here

The Primark sweater is available in store (also in a gold colour) and was £9 or £10, my local store had lots so it worth checking if you fancy a little sparkle!

There are some gorgeous sparkly tops available on the high street, here is my edit of the best:

The Dream Top...

Bella Freud in Selfridges £270

The dream sweater from Bella Freud, blue merino wool with metallic yarn, sparkly and extra special, the kind of Christmas jumper I would be more than happy to wear. Also comes in black... 

Travelling Bazaar £179

Travelling Bazaar £179

This Munthe sweater from Travelling Bazaar has a stunning, super glittery (sparklier in real life) panel of sparkle across the middle. The beige has silver, the pink has gold, it is a super soft sweater mohair and wool mix, not itchy at all. Wear with wellies or with heels this sweater would be a hard worker in your wardrobe!

&Other Stories £65

Another gorgeous sweater with a nod to metallics, merino wool, supersoft and at a more affordable price than the Bella Freud sweater, this is on my wish list. I love the skirt too which will available soon..the outfit above is a really cool Christmas look, add black opaques and little shoe boots.

&Other Stories £45

This sweater looks really luxe, I would size up to wear it slouchy. 

H&M Poloneck £29.99

Love the gold colour with blue denim, wear underneath a denim pinafore dress with opaque tights and trainers for a relaxed look. *one to try on just to check it is not itchy..

H&M £24.99

Love the shade of red of this jumper, it looks a fine knit so would not be itchy. I would size up on this sweater and wear slouchy with black ankle length jeans and a pair of heels for a night out. Or for daytime with a pair of blue boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers.

H&M £49.99

Slightly 'out there' but I adore this jacket. Again I would size up, wear slouchy, completely dress down to make it daytime ready, wear a white/grey/black t-shirt underneath, a pair of loose boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers. Or wear with a tee, a pair of black skinny jeans and black converse.

Topshop £20

This top speaks for itself, wear it instead of a grey Tee to add a little sparkle.

Topshop £36

Love this top, the shape is gorgeous, a real swing top, balance the volume by wearing skinny jeans and a pair of heeled ankle boots.

Zara £17.99

This has a subtle gold thread through the fabric for a gold sheen. Love the sleeves on this top, this would look great under dungarees or a pair of leather shorts, thick tights and a pair of trainers.

I am well and truly onboard with a bit of Autumn sparkle, I think I may 'need' the &otherstories sweater and the H&M zip top, love the sporty vibe.

Are you a fan of shimmer and sparkle or do indulge at Christmas or avoid completely?! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

The Essential Black Dress

Style Theory: When in doubt I often reach for the safety of a black dress for an event. They are always flattering, can be matched with any accesssories and always look chic and understated.

Images via pinterest

So versatile and timeless, the black dress is the perfect fall-back dress in your wardrobe and works for every season. Over the past 10 years my black dress hemlines have got longer but I always tend to buy ones with fairly high necks as they suit me shape better and I wear them again and again. 

Here is my selection of the best on the high street now:

&Other Stories Pom Pom dress £55

This is a great, light cotton, comfortable dress. It is one of those dresses that works just as well with flats as with heels. It does crush but as the fabric has a slight pattern in it you can get away with it crushing a little throughout the day. It also comes in cream, I know I will wear this non-stop and it hides my mum tum perfectly! Fits true to size.

This dress is a great cover up piece, I love feeling comfortable at an event, top arms covered, and legs..makes me feel unselfconscious...

&Other Stories Broderie Anglais £65

A beautiful, delicate but structured dress. I love the broderie look on the arms, will provide arm coverage whilst looking interesting and extremely pretty.

Zara Cape Sleeve Tie Neck Dress £69.99

The cape detail of the sleeve on this dress is very 2015, I would wear with high black/tan strappy sandals M&S ghillie sandals look fab on.

Mango Fringed Dress £49.99

Fringing is on trend this season and this dress is a perfect way to wear it. Would look amazing with the mango strappy, flat sandals, a cool boho look for holiday. Add a large straw bag and some fine gold jewellery and it will look beach to bar perfection.

Next Boho Dress £26

An easy to wear lightweight jersey dress. Great for throwing over a bikini/swimsuit on holiday.

Topshop Plunge Neck Dress £40

Balance out the midi length of this dress with a plunge neck. I had one of these from French Connection many years ago and it was so flattering. Pointed court shoes make this dress look super sophisticated.

M&S Sleeveless Maxi Dress £52

Chic and glamorous, the black maxi dress is endlessly useful. Dress up with chunky gold bangles piled high, gold boho drop earrings and high strappy tan or black sandals. By day wear with flat sandals and fine gold jewellery, add a coloured bag for a pop of colour.

Warehouse Gypsy Style Dress Midi Dress £28

An easy to wear, un-expensive dress, will make an impact when dressed up with heels and accessorised with gold/silver clutch bag.

H&M Embroidered Dress £59.99

This is a little short but I love the embroidery detail, it is stunning. A great holiday piece and wear in the winter with black opaque tights and knee high 70s style tan boots.

I could go on forever, I do love a black dress, I have kept all of mine (since I was 18) as I wear them again and again (the ones I can still squeeze into!)

Do you have a favourite black dress? Do you tend to go for the safety of black when attending a function? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have a great hopefully sunny weekend Frances xx 

Mellow Yellow

Style Theory: On the Spring/Summer 2015 catwalks, Burberry Prorsum, Acne and Michael Kors to name but a few championed this sunny hue. From amber to saffron to gold to lemon, there is a shade to suit everyone and every skin tone, it is just a matter of trying on and you will find your perfect piece of sunshine clothing.

I love a touch of mustardy yellow, it does not necessarily complement my skin tone but with a little help from some fake tan I can just about get away with it. This Zara yellow coat has brightened up the last few cold, rainy months and now fits perfectly with sunny days...

Coat - Zara similar here
Dungarees - H&M similar here
Scarf - Uniqlo similar here
Trainers - Stan Smith £67 
Bag - H&M £19.99

My newest yellow purchase is this yellow top from H&M I featured in my last post. I spotted it on the utterly cool Pandora Sykes, she styled it with some little denim shorts and Chloe sandals, as I am probably double her age and no where near as cool, I styled it with my jeans and new mango sandals with a little touch of leopard thrown in...

Top - H&M £29.99
Jeans - Asos £35 (I have chopped the bottom off these to make them ankle kick flares)
Sandals - Mango £19.99
Bag - &Other Stories similar here

A big, blouson-y sunshine top to match the sunny day (although in these photos it doesn't look it!) I could sail away with the arms on it, but it is the kind of top that is fabulous to throw on on holidays in the evening with a pair of shorts for a stroll down to dinner. Super easy to wear, non clingy and a gorgeous colour.. 

*In this month's Elle (May 2015) they have a 20% off H&M card (to be used in store only) they have some fab summer pieces in their this season so it worth having a look..

Are you a fan of yellow or do you steer clear? Have you been seduced by all the gorgeous mustard and lemony colours available on the high street this season?

As always I would love to hear your thought and comments, until next time, Frances xxx

Easter Wish list..

Style Theory: A couple of cool Spring/Summer looks that are on my wish list. They  nod to this season's trends without going over the top. The reality of UK summers is that culottes and jeans are more of a reality than shorts, all items in these outfits can be re-styled with so many looks from super casual to a night out...

The Breton Look

Jumper - Whistles @John Lewis £95
Denim Culottes - Gucci Net a Porter £785 MUCH CHEAPER OPTION Topshop £40 OR M&S £29.50 
Cat Eye Sunglasses - Asos £12
Bag - Gucci Soho Disco Bag £605 OR LESS EXPENSIVE Boden £111.75
Sandals - Mango £19.99

Boho Chic

Top - H&M £29.99
Sunglasses - Tom Ford at John Lewis £184 OR LESS EXPENSIVE EditSecondhand The Row £160
Jeans: Levis 501CT £95
Shoes - Next £38

I adore the denim and tan look this year and there is an abundance of amazing shoes on the high street at really good prices! I am out for a shopping day tomorrow (Saturday) with my Mum and sisters so am hoping to track a few of these pieces down. Follow me on Instagram to see what I find @Schoolrunmum

MY STYLE

Keeping it casual today for a day with the kids bike riding, climbing and a lunch out.

Jumper - Boden
Jacket - Asos
Scarf - Uniqlo
Trousers - Topshop
Trainers - Adidas Stan Smith
Bag - H&M

Another day running around getting Easter bits and bobs for the house and the Easter Egg hunt..

Sweater - Topshop
Coat - Topshop
Bag - Aurora Living Willow Bag
Jeans - Asos
Shoes - Uterque
Sunglasses - Primark

Now onto the the long weekend, we have a lovely family weekend planned plus a shopping trip to town tomorrow and of course lots of chocolate to consume! 

How are you spending your Easter, are you holiday-ing? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. 

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter xxxx

Until next time, Frances xxx

It's Going to be a Colourful Spring

Outfit Post: I love a splash of colour, especially if the colours clash. I find colour flatters and can 'lift' an outfit, as long as I can dress the look down with a pair of distressed jeans or trainers to balance the overall effect and avoid the outfit looking too shouty. My yellow Zara coat, orange H&M bag and new Boden shoes on paper shouldn't work..but I think they kind of do, especially on a beautiful Spring, sunny day...

Yellow coat - Zara 
Jeans - Gap similar here
Bag - H&M (old)
Top - Cos
Shoes - Boden £119

For the last few seasons Boden has had a stand out pair of shoes that encapsulates the mood and colours of the season. For Autumn/winter 2014 it was the beautiful encrusted, crystal flat pumps and this Spring it is these beautiful 'Alice' shoes. Mine were part of a gift from my sisters for my birthday (thanks girls xx) and I love the colourway. The shoes come in two heel heights and five different colourways, mine above and these..

Boden Alice Shoes High Heel £119
Boden Alice Shoes Mid Heel £119

Boden Alice Shoes High Heel £119
Boden Alice Shoes Mid Heel £119

The high heels are 8.5cms, the mid heels are a very walkable 6cms, perfect for a spring or summer wedding guest outfit. 

However, as I have only one wedding this year and any exciting events are few and far between, I have been looking for ways to dress down my shoes to make them more wearable for family lunches at the pub and evenings out at local restaurants with friends (not the schoolrun, trainers only for me chasing after the kids on their scooters acting like BMX bandits!)

 

Here are a few ideas of how I will be wearing my  Boden Alice heels..

Blouse - Zara £39.99
Dungarees - H&M £29.99
Cardigan - Boden £49
Shoes - Boden £119

Breton top - Petit Bateau £58
Blazer - Zara £49.99
Jeans - Levis 501 CT at House Of Fraser now £75
Shoes - Boden £119

Comfort with style is my fashion mantra, I would always rather be slightly dressed down as I do not work in an office everyday therefore I feel more comfortable this way. 

How about you, do embrace the opportunity to dress smartly, are you a statement shoe fan? Are you a shoe or bag person..which shoes are catching your eye this season? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, thanks so much for reading, until next time, Frances xxx